Fire Magic Echelon E660 Gas Grill Review

Echelon Diamond Series is Fire Magic’s top of the line. The E660 is their smallest model, although with 660 square inches of primary cook surface we consider this a large grill. The stainless steel cooking grates are thick and heavy. 16 gauge stainless steel flavor grids blanket the burners for even heat distribution and the three cast stainless steel E-burners, actually shaped more like an H, are super heavy duty and designed to spread flame throughout the firebox. One owner likened the intensity to “a sea of fire”. Access to burners is easy for cleaning, smoking, or setting up a rotisserie.

All models have hot surface electric ignition. Instead of generating a spark, it uses an igniter rod that gets red hot instantaneously. Fire Magic claims their hot surface ignition system is unaffected by moisture and designed to perform even in harsh environments. Echelons have built-in digital thermometers and meat probes, 12″ deep firebox (mighty nice for rotisserie) and double wall spring assisted hoods. Removable warming racks can be stored on brackets behind the hood. These brackets also hold the rotisserie spit. Backburners include a stainless steel cover for protection when not in use. Heavy is a word that came to mind when inspecting Echelons. Everything looks and feels solid.

Echelons have a drip collection systems consisting of a tapered firebox bottom draining into a small drawer accessed from the front control panel and equipped with a disposable aluminum tray. But you shouldn’t get much grease because most burns up on the flavor grids especially if you do a burn off after each use.

All Echelon models need to be hooked up to 110 volt power. They are decked out with blue LED backlit control knobs and a flame icon on the knob changes from blue to red when turned on. The flame’s intensity grows brighter on high and dimmer on low. Bright, angled halogen hood lights provide ample illumination after dark. Heat zone separators slide in and out between each E-burner to isolate cooking zones. A long, stainless steel wood chip drawer is incorporated in the control panel with its own dedicated 3,000 BTU burner. Craftsmanship is stunning. We were floored by seamless welds and attention to detail from top to bottom.

Stand-alone models are available with double or single side burners and there are many to choose from. All 304 stainless steel cart construction with insulated doors and drawers. Retractable tool and paper towel holders. Fold down side shelf with polished edges and handles. Heavy-duty locking swivel casters. Two 110V electrical outlets with heavy-duty extension cord.

All Fire Magic BBQ grills are made with high quality 304 cast stainless steel burners, cooking grates and housings that carry a lifetime warranty. Warranty for various components then drops to 15 years for brass valves and backburner and manifold assemblies all the way down to 1 year for electric systems. Lifetime ownership is a Fire Magic mantra. All grills are shipped with conversion kits that facilitate propane or natural gas should your preference change. Echelons also include your own personalized nameplate.

Fire Magic designs are elegant and engineered for customization. The grills or “heads” can be purchased for drop in installations or mounted on carts and pedestals. The model numbers tell a lot about the model. For example, E1060i indicates: E=Echelon, 1060=actual or approximate primary cooking surface, i=island or drop-in head for install. E790s: E=Echelon, 790=790 square inch primary cooking surface, s=stand-alone or mounted on a cart. For outdoor kitchen installations, anything in the vast Fire Magic catalog may be incorporated. Options for stand-alone models are more limited but you may, for instance, replace an E-Burner with an IR Sear Zone. Although additional searing power is unnecessary with these super-hot grills. Some other options are: “Magic View Window” to check food and a motorized hood lift.  Add-ons can increase the price significantly. Our listed MSRP is for a basic E660s freestanding model.